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Commission to debate Elmore Town Bridge

Posted
Sunday, April 14, 2019 1:04 am

BY JIM HERRIN

The Putnam County Commission will be voting Monday night on whether or not to accept a portion of Elmore Town Road as a county road.

The town of Baxter has proposed deannexing a bridge on that road, so the county can take it over and expedite its replacement. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has reduced the weight limit on the bridge to six tons, preventing the school system from providing bus transportation to 17 families, and Baxter Mayor John Martin said the state rejected the town's plan to install a box bridge as a replacement.

Still, County Attorney Jeff Jones said the Baxter deannexation by itself does not obligate the county to once again accept the road, although several commissioners have said the county should, in part because there are just three homes on the road inside the city limits of Baxter while 72 homes are affected outside the city limits.

Also on the commission agenda:

• Approval of 30 mph speed limit on Pete Carr Ridge Road.

• Approval of criteria and procedures for naming bridges or other county and state property after individuals.

• Approval for the Putnam County Juvenile Court to transfer 2008 Dodge Avenger to the Assessor of Property.

• Approval for the Sheriff's Department to transfer a trailer to the Highway Department.

• Approval for the sheriff to declare six vehicles and other equipment as surplus to be sold by internet or public auction.

• Approval of budget amendments for the County General, General Purpose School and School Nutrition funds.

• Approval of a resolution authorizing the County Mayor to apply for and administer a $59,200 Little and Trash Collection Grant.

Commissioners will also hear from Mayor Randy Porter about the status of county revenues and the county's five-year plan when they meet Monday at 6 p.m. at the courthouse.